Purpose

1. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has a role under the Fair Trading Act 1986 to protect consumers from goods that will or may cause injury to any person. Product safety standards are regulations made under section 29 of the Fair Trading Act 1986. They can declare a national standard or parts and variations thereof to be a product safety standard.

2. Many issues have arisen relating to the safety of rubber hot water bottles and this discussion document examines options for addressing rubber hot water bottle safety. In particular the discussion document considers the need for the declaration of a product safety standard as a means of ensuring the safety of rubber hot water bottles.

3. Under section 29(3) of the Fair Trading Act 1986, the Minister of Consumer Affairs is required to consult with parties considered to be substantially affected by a proposed product safety standard, to provide an opportunity for those parties to make any comment and to consider such comment.

4. This paper forms the first step in that consultation process. It is intended to assist anyone who may wish to make a submission on the merits or otherwise of declaring the British Standard BS 1970:2001 Hot water bottles manufactured from rubber and PVC. Specification to be a product safety standard.

5. The discussion paper has been issued to encourage consumers, traders and other interested parties to consider the issues relating to the safety of rubber hot water bottles and to put forward their views. This will enable the Minister to receive sound advice on all the issues relating to rubber hot water bottles and to take into account the views of those substantially affected.